Have you upgraded your smoke alarms yet?
Ensure you’re compliant by 1 January 2022.
D-day is fast approaching to ensure your dwelling meets the requirements of the domestic smoke alarm legislation. Landlords who fail to comply with the legislation introduced on 1 January 2017 may face possible refusal of insurance claims and fines. If your property is not compliant with the deadline, you won’t be able to lease it, renew existing tenancies or sell your property.
For most property owners, this will mean that many or all existing smoke alarms must be replaced. In some cases, new or additional alarms must also be installed. Australian standards now require the installation of compliant interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms in all bedrooms in addition to smoke alarms in other areas of the property.
We have partnered with Smoke Alarm Integrity to ensure that our customers can upgrade their smoke alarms before the deadline. However, given the number of property owners in Brisbane and throughout Queensland, delays are expected. We would suggest contacting Smoke Alarm Integrity as soon as possible to ensure your property is compliant with the deadline.
Should you have any questions specific to the legislation or wish to book a consultation, call Vicki Bailey at Smoke Alarm Integrity on 0423 254 542. Vicki is an experienced smoke alarm specialist and is available to answer any questions you may have.
The Queensland government has also announced new corporate body laws that will be effective from 1 March 2021. Highlights of the new regulations include:
In the wake of Covid-19, regulations will allow electronic attendance and voting at meetings. This includes the use of ‘live’ electronic voting and personal attendance via teleconference or videoconference. Email and other forms of electronic communication for the exchange of information will also be allowed.
The new regulations will clarify and improve the number of documents original owners and property developers must provide to corporate body committees to facilitate their scheme's effective governance.
Under the new laws, body corporates will have to consider motions to remedy building defects early via defect assessment reports tabled at the AGM. Corporate body managers will also be required to disclose any monetary benefits they’re entitled to receive due to policies or contracts entered into during their governance.
For further information, please see the Queensland Government website.